ANNOYING co-worker who always is coming in my office!!!!?

Question

What would you do if you had an annoying co-worker who ALWAYS comes into your office to talk. She is NEVER at her desk, she is always wandering around the whole entire office (I'm not the only one who has noticed this). She will come into my office and look at my computer screen and comment on what I'm doing. She will also read stuff that is laying on my desk, and make comments.
It's soooooooooooo annoying. I don't want to tell her to go away or confront her personally about it. Any good suggestions on what I can do?

I try to just not prolong the conversation and act really busy - but that doesn't seem to work.

She will come into my office about 2-3 times an hour!

HELP!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Is this co-worker your boss? If it is not, you might try talking to your supervisor, especially if it is an office wide problem. This co-worker is really interfering with productivity, something the supervisor or boss should be concerned with (not to mention she isn't doing her own work). If she is your supervisor, there may not be much you can do about it other than let her know her interruptions are messing with your concentration or flow of work and could she keep it down to a minimum please? After all, you don't want to lose your productivity because you got distracted, right? If talking to a supervisor doesn't work, or saying something to her doesn't work, you can either try ignoring her completely or look for another job. After all, some people won't take no for an answer and there is no reason for you to keep putting up with her rudeness.

Answer 2

Wow - you've gotten some pretty snotty answers here. I've been in your situation, so I know exactly what you're talking about. I can especially relate to people saying that they have to go down the hall, or to the bathroom, or that they have gas/cramps (yuck!) etc. Sometimes there is such thing as giving way too much irrelevant information, and that can definitely grind on your nerves. And I agree with you that often when co-workers try to "advise" it seems very pompous. While they may just be trying to be polite, they also come across as clueless and condescending. Unfortunately, there are annoying co-workers in every setting and the best you can do is try to have actual good work etiquette and hope they take note. Working at a front desk can be an especially challenging position for anyone's patience.

Answer 3

Oh no! That's a truly annoying issue.
It's hard to keep "privacy" at work as it is, but when someone is seriously making an effort to be nosy, it makes things even worse.
I would tell your supervisor. This could work wonders if you two have the same boss or even if you don't. That way, someone else will fight the battle (so to speak). Though you mildly run the risk of appearing as a tattletale, you could always address the issue as such: she is preventing you from getting your work done. She doesn't talk about work-related things and she also interrupts you when you're doing important tasks. That way, it shows that you ARE trying to work and get the job done and it's not a complaint on a personal level.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Obviously being curt and occupied doesn't get your message across. Be very direct and tell her "Brenda, I don't like visiting while I'm trying to do my work. It would be nice to have lunch together sometimes, but unless it's urgent then I'd appreciate it if you'd send me an e-mail (write me a note, save it for team meeting, etc.) instead of dropping by my office. Unnecessary interuptions really have an adverse affect on my job performance."

That way, if and when you go to your boss with this, you can say with all honesty that you (1) asked Brenda to stop it and (2) explained that it was hurting your job performance and (3) suggested an alternative ... and you don't know what else to do, can the boss please advise you on how to handle it. Leave out the parts about Brenda always wandering around and the parts about her reading your stuff.

Answer 5

Most people do not like confrontations, and there are those who know this and use it to their advantage. However it is sometimes the only way you're going to get it to stop. You can expect that person to feign surprise & hurt when you do confront them. When she comes and looks at your computer screen, a comment (in an annoyed manner) such as, "Is there something here that interests you?" will startle her, and then, before she can answer, follow it up with, something like, "If you have nothing to do, would you please go and do it somewhere else. I am quite busy here" (That comment actually got applause from some others in one office). This may get your message across to her. She'll probably act hurt, but don't back down - that'll only make it worse. Good Luck.

Answer 6

I would say this:

"So-and-so," it is not a good time right now to be here, I'm in the middle of working on this, and I need to be alone.

You have to confront her, because otherwise she will not get the message.

You might also want to inquire what is going on with her that has her up and about...Is she anxious? Sometimes people with anxiety (short or long term) have difficulty being alone.

See if your employer has an Employee Assistance Program EAP, who might be able to give you and/or the annoying co-worker some helpful advice.

Answer 7

I would close my office door most people would at least KNOCK before entering.. I would tell her that you have important phonecalls/business to handle and that you can't be disturbed...

If the behavior persists I would take it up with a supervisor that she is disruptive to your work and you would appreciate if she kept her "visits" to lunch breaks.

As for reading/commenting on your work... I would say something about that... .Ask her politely to not touch things on your desk... It's rude...

Good luck

Answer 8

This is work. Tell her to go away - in a polite way. There are several things you can say - smiling politely and speaking softly but firmly -
"I am really sorry. I really need to finish something here and cannot talk." when she comes back in 20 minutes - "I am sorry. I really AM busy".
"I feel uncomfortable when you are looking at my screen."
"I feel incomfotable when you are reading documents on my desk."
etc.
Be firm. This is work. She is stealing your precious time - and your energy, health and sanity.

This is not confrontation. This is just reminding of boundaries.

Answer 9

well you have other choices but the ones you don't want to do are the best to do!
it' hard to confront someone maybe just tell your boss
or shut your door and soon as she comes in say excuse me! and point back at the door!

or just ask do you need buzy work...

or if she is that into your job have her do some for you if you start to give her work she may avoid you!

Answer 10

Do you have a door you can close? If not, are you able to speak with your supervisor or her supervisor, i.e., she should be reprimanded in some way for chit-chatting while they're paying her to be doing something else. Much like me sitting here answering questions while I should be doing something else. LOL!!